WARREN, Maine — A 19-year-old man died Sunday afternoon in a two-car crash at the intersection of Route 90 and Western Road.
The collision occurred around 1:20 p.m. when a 2026 Ram pickup, driven by Churchill Burwell, 19, from New Haven, Connecticut, entered the intersection from the north side of Western Road. The pickup struck an eastbound 2024 Toyota Corolla operated by Margaret Coleman, 48, of Whitefield.
Burwell died at the scene, while Coleman suffered severe, life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to a critical care center in Portland. A juvenile passenger in Coleman's vehicle was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Emergency calls prompted response from the Knox Regional Communications Center. First responders discovered two heavily damaged vehicles in an adjacent field.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families affected by this devastating incident,” said Knox County Sheriff Patrick Polky. He noted that a reconstruction team is on the scene working to understand the crash's mechanics, asking for community patience as the investigation continues.
The intersection is known for high crash rates; from 2023 to 2025, there were 11 crashes resulting in 18 injuries, according to the Maine Department of Transportation. Preliminary engineering for a roundabout has been planned for 2023.
The speed limit is 35 mph on Western Road and 50 mph on Route 90. The Knox County Sheriff's Office thanked numerous agencies for their assistance in scene management, including the Warren Fire Department and Maine State Police. Further details will be released as verified.